What are common misconceptions about health and how can you avoid them?

While it is true that the word 'natural' is largely a marketing term, the concept of deriving from a natural origin is a sound principle that can help guide us. I believe the scrutiny should instead be placed on synthetic molecules. For example, pharmaceutical medications, many life saving, are also the 4th leading cause of death in the US and Europe. No 'natural' agent is even close. Conceptually, we have evolved with nature, that includes the air we breathe, the water we drink and the plants we eat. Evidence about the polyphenols, betacarotenes and other health giving molecules in plants is amassing. Maybe we just need to be more curious as to how ingredients derived from the natural world can play a bigger role in our health.

Natural is better without any doubt but how do we perceive natural is more important. Natural is something which is originally produced by nature and synthetic is something produced through industry. Nature produces for maintenance so if someone is promising quick remedy or extra benefit, I doubt because this is opposite to the principles. I don't think natural can have any side effects unless consumed in very high quantities.

A natural and holistic lifestyle doesn't discount the importance of research and evidence. The abundance of trends in 'natural products' can indeed be overwhelming for many. It's also worth delving into WHY so many of us are gravitating toward a more natural approach. This shift often stems from a profound desire for greater personal agency over their well-being and a sense of body autonomy. Simultaneously, there's a growing skepticism toward the Western medical system. These complex dynamics underscore the need for balanced, informed choices that respect both traditional wisdom and modern medical knowledge.

Natural products have active constituents and need to be prescribed by those appropriately trained in their mechanisms of action, dose, timing and duration and possible interactions with pharmaceutical drugs. This is classically why naturopathic doctors are trained and regulated. Conventional doctors are not necessarily trained with natural product knowledge, however the national library of medicine / pubmed contains many scientifically based research articles to help discern all of the above.

Natural is a bit of a misnomer in my opinion. From my experience, organic food based supplements are superior. We are designed to eat food, therefore food based products are better absorbed by the body.

After 3 weeks of vomiting, weight loss, a rash and several medical visits, a new client contacted me for assistance. No one could tell her what was going on other than to say she was not contagious. My approach was holistic which included the use of specific essential oils in a bath to optimize internal delivery (ingesting them is not recommended ... ever and a topic for another discussion). Unfortunately, she vomited immediately after the first bath. Too much. So, I redirected the approach to just a few drops between her toes. The vomiting stopped immediately and the rash cleared up within 2 days. The body was already purging, it didn't need more stimulation. Less assistance promoted allostasis.

Every Individual is different and depending on the requirements, dose regimen differes from person to person. If you are fit and daily food intake is optimal to match for your dietary requirements than you dont need any nutraceuticals, multivitamins etc. In case of any health condition, only optimum and what is needed as per dose regimen is required. Excess of everything is bad.

Definitely less is better! Listen to the patient, examen the patient and make a shared decision plan with an option to follow up.

In functional medicine, we believe there is no universal "one-size-fits-all" solution when it comes to health and wellness. Each person is a unique individual with distinct biological, genetic, and lifestyle factors that influence their well-being. Even identical twins, who share the same genetics, can have vastly different health outcomes due to variations in their environment, diet, and lifestyle choices. Health is multifaceted. Functional medicine emphasizes a personalized and patient-centered approach. It's about understanding each individual's health. This includes looking at genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, dietary choices, stress levels, and even emotional well-being.

I am a Functional Medicine practioner who believes in individual differences in health care. I work with complicated cases and wish it were that easy!

This is something I'm always telling people/clients. We are all individual, as pointed out by my peers. Different genes, DNA, tastes, lifestyles, habits, families, and throw all the thousands of different bacteria that can live in our guts, we are truly 1 in a million! If more people realised this, the "round peg, square hole" approach would reduce and our health challenges would decline. We all have different answers to different problems.

Synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or more substances to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Synergy is a vital force that has captivated scientists for centuries. The human body is a synergistic system with a unique genome per person. Introducing any compound into one body produces a result that may or may not be shared by another. There's always the potential for reactions that can go undetected, triggering alternative inflammatory conditions at some point in the future. Not to mention, countless studies on botanical compounds are conducted in vitro which means, reactions between two people may vary ... not to mention an entire population.

Health is bio-individual! For example: We, as human, all experience the same emotions - anger, fear, worry, happiness, etc. But our triggers are different. The intensities at which we may all feel the same emotion will be different. Being armed with sound research-backed knowledge and an understanding (born out of self awareness) of your own mind and body will empower you to discern what is the best option for you when you discuss it with your doctor.

By the very act of observing a situation, the situation is changed. Many studies that similarly observe a given type of situation, with as closely controlled variables as possible, still cannot 100% claim causation. Given no two humans are exactly alike, it is very difficult to claim correlation is causation. This is why we have probability factors and the like to help account for the outlying confounders.

Evidence based information is at the core of our approach. Our mind naturally tries to seek patterns and connections, often leading to confirmation bias. We notice and remember instances that confirm our beliefs. Someone claiming that a diet or a supplement cured their condition is an excellent example. Treatment of chronic conditions is highly individual, and what may work for one person might not work for another. In summary, the journey to optimal health should be guided by a combination of evidence-based practices and individualized care. This ensures that healthcare decisions are rooted in the best available scientific knowledge while respecting the unique needs and circumstances of each patient.

Health absolutely is not a destination, because as is now being promoted across the health and wellness sector, the "lifestyle" aspect of your health is achieved by the journey. You can't achieve a health goal, and immediately go back to previous ways- that is effectively taking steps backward on the journey which is supposed to be propelling you forward. There will always be a need for further testing, diagnosis, intervention, and support as conditions change such as stage of life (birth, death, working, retirement, etc.)

Healing people today with our ever-increasing toxic environment is not addressed by the medical model anymore. The old have-a-symptom take-a-pill treatment model is now passe. We need to treat things like IBS (the #1 reason people visit doctors) and autoimmune (documented 10% of the population) and leaky gut (up to 80%), which can't be treated with a pill. And ... unfortunately ... you have to have money to treat this as this type of treatment is not covered by insurance. What a disconnect!

Believing that only physical health matters: While physical health is undoubtedly crucial, it is not the sole component of overall well-being. Mental and emotional health are equally significant in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Neglecting mental health can lead to various issues, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Assuming that genetics determine your health entirely: While genetics can influence certain aspects of health, such as predisposition to certain diseases, lifestyle choices can play a significant role in managing or preventing health issues. Making healthy choices regarding diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors can have a substantial impact on one's well-being, regardless of genetic factors.

I, for one, as a Clinically Certified Medical Assistant having worked in a Family Practice was a witness to an astronomical amount of patients on antianxiety medications. I believe there are sometimes more natural methods to pursue versus medication. Some patients truly need them but others, I feel, use the medication as an escape from having to deal with issues in their lives. That's not what medications are intended for. Just my opinion.